Year: 2015
Barrier Free Living Apartments Holiday Event
Barrier Free Living Apartments, which opened summer of 2015, held its first tenant holiday event this December.
Families who attended made holiday cards and other crafts before food was served. A volunteer singer performed.
The room was decorated by the Tenants Association and the event was made possible in part due to a generous GoFundMe campaign coordinated by a… read more
Freedom House Holiday Event With Mrs. New York
Mrs. New York Alison Trenk made a surprise call to Freedom House Emergency Shelter on the day of the holiday party, offering to supply the domestic violence shelter with bags of toys for the children residing there.
Yenely Gomez, Director of Child Care/Recreation at Freedom House, was thrilled to receive the call and even more excited after they arranged for Alison to personally deliver the toys. Alison even allowed several of the kids to wear her crown.
The event, which… read more
Spread The Sparkle Holiday Event For Barrier Free Living Programs
Spread The Sparkle hosted a spectacular holiday event for all of Barrier Free Living's programs this December 25 at a beautiful loft space in Manhattan.
Barrier Free Living works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities (men, women and children) as well as formerly and currently homeless people with disabilities.
Led by Spread the Sparkle founder Abbey LeVine and over 30 volunteers, the afternoon featured singing, a face painter, a… read more
BFL Part Of Initiative Fighting Poverty to Help Survivors of Domestic Violence
To fight both domestic violence and poverty and homelessness, HRA has partnered with nine community-based organizations to provide a wide variety of services to help survivors rebuild their lives.
The organizations involved are Barrier Free Living, HELP USA, New York Asian Women’s Center, Sanctuary for Families, the New York City Anti-Violence Project, the Urban Justice Center, Seamen’s Society, Edwin Gould Services, and the Violence Intervention Program. In addition to standard services like safety planning and counseling, all nine of these organizations… read more
Deaf West’s Spring Awakening Features Deaf And Hard of Hearing Actors On Broadway
Deaf West’s innovative new production of Spring Awakening on Broadway features Deaf and Hard of Hearing actors.
The show also includes the first actor (Ali Stroker) who uses a wheelchair to appear on the Great White Way.
The Tony winning musical revival has choreographed sign language into the production. The show runs through January 24.
Read more.… read more
Remembering Theresa A. H. McIntosh: Survivor. Advocate. Inspiration.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Theresa A. H. McIntosh, founder of the Barrier Free Living (BFL) Speakers Bureau and a BFL Freedom House trustee.
Theresa was a survivor of domestic violence who was also an above-the-knee amputee. Theresa was born, raised and educated in England. Following a car accident in 1992, Theresa became a resident at Barrier Free Living’s Transitional Housing Program… read more
LeShan Gaulman Honored With Emerging Social Work Leader Award
LeShan Gaulman, Program Director of Barrier Free Living’s Transition Housing, took home the Emerging Social Work Leader Award of the National Association of Social Workers – New York City Chapter at a presentation December 3, 2015.
The award was given to a select number of emerging leaders of the social work profession in recognition of visionary and exemplary work. LeShan's team was on hand to cheer him on at the sumptuous awards dinner ceremony in NYC.
“It is an honor to be… read more
Toy Donations Brighten Holiday At Barrier Free Living Domestic Violence Shelter
December toy donations from both individuals and agencies like the FPWA and Second Chance Toys brighten the holiday for the 144 children living at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter and BFL Apartments as well as our Secret Garden program.
Learn more about donating a toy, your time or much needed financial resources to Barrier Free Living here.… read more
Celebrate #GivingTuesday Support Kids Like Danielle At Our Domestic Violence Shelter
SUPPORT #GIVING TUESDAY
Support Barrier Free Living this year.
We work with over 140 kids like Danielle, age 13, who did our holiday card art at left. Danielle is a resident at our Freedom House domestic violence shelter.
We also work with current and formerly homeless men and women with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.
DONATE NOW… read more
BFL Apartments Thanksgiving Event
Barrier Free Living apartments, which opened summer of 2015, held a Thanksgiving dinner celebration for tenants and their families on November 24.
Program Director Thomas Obrzut worked with his dedicated staff and the coordinator of BFL's Occupational Therapy program Patricia Motus to create a buffet and celebratory atmosphere. Tenants brought dishes to the community event, which was made possible due to a private donation.
Learn more about how to support… read more
Axis Offers Breathtaking Vision Of Integrated Dance
I headed to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on November 17 to see the Axis Dance Company, expecting an enjoyable evening out of the city. What I experienced was a jaw-dropping, awe inspiring night of integrated dance performance.
The show, which includes performers with and without disabilities working together, featured a trio of moving dances: Dix minutes plus tard by Sonya Delwaide; Divide, by Marc Brew; to go again by Joe Goode. The pieces, both individually and as a program, got at… read more
AXIS Dance Co. Performs Nov. 17 NJ Performing Arts Center
Axis Dance will perform Nov. 17 at 7pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Seen on So You Think You Can Dance! AXIS Dance Company is one of the world’s leading and most innovative ensembles of dancers with and without disabilities.Paving the way for physically integrated dance, each year AXIS shares its cutting-edge artistic and education/outreach work with thousands all over the world.AXIS exists to… read more
BFL’s LeShan Gaulman National Association Of Social Workers Emerging Leader Award Winner
LeShan Gaulman, Program Director of Barrier Free Living's Transition Housing, has been chosen to receive the 9th Annual Emerging Social Work Leader Award of the National Association of Social Workers – New York City Chapter.
This award is being presented to a select number of emerging leaders of the social work profession in recognition of visionary and exemplary work.
"It is an honor to be recognized for my service to the profession… read more
Pet Therapy For Kids At Freedom House Domestic Violence Shelter
A Fair Shake For Youth has launched a 4-week pet therapy program for the children living at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Domestic Violence Shelter.
There are over 50 children living at the shelter. Pet therapy is used as a tool to build esteem and foster confidence in the youths, many who are recovering from trauma.
"The children residing at Freedom House have left behind their familiar environment and loved… read more
Berkeley Carroll School Costume Drive Benefits Kids In BFL Domestic Violence Shelters
The Berkeley Carroll School held a Halloween costume drive October 26, collecting trick or treat outfits to donate to the children living at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Domestic Violence Shelter.
Heather Borstein, who helped organize the drive says "We love the work that BFL does. It's our privilege to help others enjoy Halloween as much as we do."
The costumes will… read more
Domestic Violence Awareness Walk In Harlem Oct. 26.
The Upper Manhattan Domestic Violence Services Collaborative will Shine the Light – Harlem on Monday, October 26 at 5:30pm.
Join domestic violence advocates, survivors and allies, as they bring more awareness to domestic violence in their communities. The event begins with a walk through Harlem, beginning from various starting points in the community, culminating at the State Office Building, which will be lit purple.
Flyer here.… read more
Deaf People In NYC Homeless Shelters Will Gain Access To Sign Language Interpreters
The NY Daily News reports: The city’s Department of Homeless Services agreed Tuesday to provide sign language interpreters to deaf people living in homeless shelters — ending a pair of lawsuits that charged the city was discriminating against the hearing-impaired.
Read the story.… read more
Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Nov. 7-8
The Matthew Sapolin Memorial Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place November 7-8th at Horace Mann High School in the Bronx.
The tournament is FREE for all spectators and is one of the largest events of its kind in the Northeast. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see and interact with some of the nation’s finest wheelchair athletes. All of the most up-to-date information about the tournament including the full schedule, team… read more
Local Leaders Raise Awareness On Domestic Wiolence With ‘Upstander Campaign’
NEWS12 reports:Local leaders are raising awareness about domestic violence to help keep families safe.
There have been new public service announcements inside taxi cabs and online, but Commissioner Rose Pierre-Louis and others are taking the message to the streets.
The activists and local leaders passed out fliers and information Thursday as a first step in combating the city's domestic violence issue.
Read the story and watch the video here.… read more
BFL Speaker’s Bureau & VOW DV Awareness Event
The BFL Speakers Bureau and The Voices of Women Organizing Project (VOW) held their domestic violence awareness month event "We Are Victors" on October 8.
A standing room only crowd were empowered by inspirational spoken word, dance and several special guest speakers. Theresa McIntosh, Coordinator of the Speaker's Bureau created the event, working with Raquel Singh, Executive Director of VOW.
Speakers included: Paul Feuerstein, President/CEO BFL; Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough… read more
Secret Garden Presents At Domestic Violence Conference
Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden will be presenting at the The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) Annual Domestic Violence Conference November 2-3, 2015 in Columbia, SC.
Secret Garden Team member Jules Perkel, LCSW will be part of a roundtable covering "Perspectives of Disability & Domestic Violence: Available resources and overcoming challenges of accessibility."
The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is a statewide coalition made up of the 23 domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy organizations in… read more
Dancing With The Stars’ Noah Galloway Inspires People With Disabilities
The night Noah Galloway lifted his Dancing with the Stars partner Sharna Burgess into the air with one arm was a truly triumphant moment. It was the impact of his performance on a fellow veteran, however, that Galloway counts as his most monumental achievement.
“I did the one-handed lift that was never done before on the show. When I picked her up I heard people jump… read more
Barrier Free Living Breaking Barriers Newsletter
The Fall 2015 Breaking Barriers newsletter, with a focus on the agency's new BFL apartments and the ribbon cutting event, is available to download.
Download the PDF here.… read more
Barrier Free Living Apartments Ribbon Cutting
New York City’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) joined Barrier Free Living (BFL), Alembic Community Development and Foxy Management to celebrate the grand opening of Barrier Free Living Residences for Families and Individuals in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx.
The project reflects the City’s ongoing efforts to expand supportive housing for its most vulnerable residents, and is BFL’s… read more
Music and Mission
When he’s not exploring benefit and housing opportunities for Deaf /Hard of Hearing survivors of domestic violence, Secret Garden Case Manager is likely jamming on his sax
Attracted to Barrier Free Living's mission, in particular the agency’s powerful work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors, Caelan joined the team this past year and hit the ground running. He took time out to answer a few questions about his first few months at… read more
Yahoo Volunteer Day At Transitional Housing
Over a dozen volunteers from Yahoo participated in Barrier Free Living's Wellness Day event at the Transitional Housing program this September.
Working with The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Yahoo funded the event and supported the BFL team, serving a wellness luncheon and running a gardening "de-stress" workshop. A nurse was also on hand, offering healthy living tips and taking residents' blood pressure.… read more
4th Annual Big Apple American Sign Language Festival October 4
Join the 4th annual Big Apple American Sign Language Festival on Sunday October 4th at Luna Park in Coney Island.
There will be about 3,000 or more Deaf, hard of hearing, new signers, and even kids in attendance as expected as other hearing spectators who will visit Luna Park for rides will be integrated in the public.… read more
‘We Are Victors’ DV Awareness Month Event
The Barrier Free Living Speakers Bureau in partnership with the Voices of Women Organizing Project (VOW) will hold its "We are Victors!” event in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness on October 8.
We Are Victors will "share the voices and stories of survivors who are Victors in reclaiming their lives free of abuse." The event will feature speakers, a dance and the song “Take A Walk In My Shoes.”
Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
To confirm your attendance or for further details… read more
The Disabled Foodie and Words I Wheel By September 2015 Event
Words I Wheel By and the Disabled food have teamed up for an event featuring a visit to the Wafels & Dinges factory.
Wafels & Dinges food trucks sell Belgian waffles around NYC. There will be a tour of the factory and fresh waffles served afterwards. The tour and waffle cost $10 (Paid in cash at the factory on the day of the tour).
When: Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (2:30 to allow enough time for Access-a-Ride users… read more